I'm sorry. I was only looking for parts suggestions, really. But I live in Buffalo, NY. The BAT86 price at Mouser was something like $0.38 US, and shipping would have been at least $9.99, if there wasn't an extra charge for an order under $15.

Mouser is a great place to get parts, and I've used them before, and will use them again. Same goes for Digikey and Jamco. But their shipping prices are high, and I always take that into consideration when buying from them.

I keep a list of things I want to buy, most of them not urgent, then round up the whole list and buy them all at once when I have an immediate need for one or more of the part numbers. Then I get a lot more stuff for the same shipping charge.

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http://WilsonMinesCo.com/ lots of 6502 resources
The "second front page" is http://wilsonminesco.com/links.html .
What's an additional VIA among friends, anyhow?

Both Digikey and Mouser ship "at cost," which means you pay what the courier charges them. Both offer Priority Mail as a domestic shipping option, which is currently $8.00 ($7.99, actually). Given the small size of most of the parts we use, Priority Mail makes more sense than FedEx or UPS for shipment to a residential address. The reality is the USPS uses FedEx and UPS to do the long-distance part of the shipping, so there's nothing to be gained by using the latter two as your primary courier.

I did a test order at Mouser as an anonymous residential customer, meaning I didn't log into an account, and indicated that my (bogus) address was residential. Shipping via UPS ground was offered for $7.99 and there was nothing added to the order other than sales tax. I said I would make payment through Paypal, which I recommend over using plastic.¹ See below graphic for the resulting checkout screen. I'm not sure from where you are getting a small order surcharge, because I didn't get one.


In any case, build up a shopping list as Garth suggested and then order when you have enough to justify the shipping cost. When I order small items such as resistors, capacitor, LEDs, etc., I order more than what I need at the time, as I know I will eventually use the extras.

I recommend you set up an account at Digikey and at Mouser. Even if you don't, you still have to give them information about who you are, where you are, how you're going to pay, etc. Setting up an account means you don't have to repeat yourself with each order. It's also handy for research purposes, as their systems maintain order records for a number of years, making it possible to track down something you used in the past and want to use again.

Regarding Jameco, it appears they add something to the shipping charges if you are an anonymous customer. Also, they have a minimum order processing fee ($5.00, I seem to recall), and their overall selection is not as good as Digikey and Mouser. However, they cater more to the hobbyist and on occasion have things that Digikey and Mouser don't stock. Jameco's main handicap is they are located in California and thus get hammered more by state taxes and excessive business regulations than the other two. Also, shipping distances are greater, which is reflected in what you pay.

¹Disclaimer: My company has open accounts at Digikey, Jameco and Mouser, so payment is made via company check.

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x86?  We ain't got no x86.  We don't NEED no stinking x86!

That brings up another good point. For small parts whose price may be dwarfed by the shipping cost, get lots of extras. As soon as you buy just one because you think there's no chance you'll ever need another one, you'll drop it and roll over it with the wheels of the chair, or do other accidental destruction or loss.

_________________
http://WilsonMinesCo.com/ lots of 6502 resources
The "second front page" is http://wilsonminesco.com/links.html .
What's an additional VIA among friends, anyhow?

I tend to have two or three projects (or repair jobs) on the go. And having been tinkering with electronics since 1985, I have built up a stock of various inexpensive components from various sources / suppliers.

I do exactly as Garth describes, adding to my “basket” over time until I have enough to justify buying, or I have exceeded the small order charge, and now have a part that I want urgently.

Living in the U.K. post and packing charges are reasonable. And with some of the larger suppliers, over a certain total order cost (£10 to £40 depending on supplier), are free even for non-business accounts.

If I do need a part quickly and don’t have much in my basket, I look at what parts/items I may need in the next few months, or look to see if I am low on parts / components I normally keep a small stock of. Also for commonly used parts (100nF capacitors for example) I normally order 50 at a time. That soon results (for me) in making the order worthwhile.

Of course the above only helps if you have the money to do this.

eBay is a bit variable to say the least. In the U.K. there are a small number of reliable small suppliers, but their range is limited. And although they offer small quantities and letter rate postage costs, and are great for buying small qualities, because of the eBay and PayPal costs, over time you do pay more.

The eBay sellers based in the Far East, are more difficult to judge. A very large number are just “box shifters”. And it’s rather difficult to tell if the parts are genuine, cheap copies, substandard, old stock or used / recycled / pulled parts.

There are some specialist electronic sellers on eBay. If I can’t get what I want from a European / U.K. / U.S.A. supplier, I tend to use one of these rather than going for the cheapest box shifter. Unless I actually do want as cheap as possible for non-critical use or destructive testing

Mark